Category Archives: Romantic Suspense

Hello Scribe Followers! I shared this post at the Jaunty Quills last week, but wanted to share it with you all, too. I’m here to tell you about the third book in my Stepping Stones Island, Maine series. Sunken Treasure released this month and was a book I had to really step out of my comfort zone to write. You see, my hero, Gage Fontaine, is a wreck diver which meant I had to gear up and take the plunge.

SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) diving was an integral part of the book since an old sunken pirate ship, treasure and all, lay off the coast of the island. For my hero, diving is no big deal, but for my heroine, Rachelle Thibodaux, who has never had the opportunity to breathe underwater, I had to know what she might feel like when the modern-day pirates pushed her in. I had to know the panic she would experience when she watched the surface grow farther away as she sank deeper and deeper in the dark, cold sea. I had to know what one would do when their mask came off, or they came up against another kind of hunter of the shark variety. Yes, I could have researched and read to acquire the knowledge, and for much I did, but there is just something about breathing underwater that needs to be experienced in order to write it right.

But, I‘m also a little chicken, so I took my daughter with me.

She’s a competitive swimmer and used to holding her breath for a whole lane. She’s also used to moving fast in the water, something SCUBA divers don’t do. It’s a very slow and methodical process. Because of this SCUBA diving was not for her. She kept getting yelled at for not breathing. (The instructor knew because she made no bubbles.) One time she submerged without her regulator (mouth piece) even on. I thought the instructor was going to blow up. After that she said she would stick to swimming and just took pictures for me.

As for me, I’m not sure if I would strap on tanks anytime soon again, but I won’t say never again. Writing has taught me to never say, never. If I want my readers to experience what my characters are experiencing, I am going to have to partake in activities, too. However, I draw the line at skydiving out of a perfectly good airplane.

But not driving fast cars. That I will do any day. (Yes, that is me driving a Ferrari, all in the name of research.)

DANGER ON THE HIGH SEAS

Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is used to modern-day pirates chasing after his boat and the buried treasure he salvages. But when he unknowingly leads a dangerous criminal to the waters off Stepping Stones Island, he puts a beautiful fisherwoman in grave danger. Rachelle Thibodaux has spent the past year hiding on her boat to avoid the town’s censure for her father’s crimes. But when she comes face-to-face with a gun-wielding pirate, she becomes a new kind of target. To save her own life, she’ll have to work with Gage to find the treasure before the pirates do.

Katy Lee writes suspenseful romances that thrill and inspire. She believes every story should stir and satisfy the reader—from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on. Visit Katy at: www.KatyLeeBooks.com. There you will find FB and Twitter links to connect with Katy further.

Lots of good news to share with you all. First, I am holding a Goodreads Giveaway for my September romantic suspense release, SUNKEN TREASURE! You have until August 31, 2014 to enter and can go right to www.KatyLeeBooks.com to press enter. Simple as that.

Romantic Times Book Reviews announced its review of SUNKEN TREASURE yesterday. Here’s what they had to say:

4 Stars! Compelling. A Page-Turner! “Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is trying to outrun the pirate after his treasures. He unwittingly places fisherwoman Rachelle Thibodaux in danger when he leads the pirate to her boat. Rachelle has been in hiding due to the shame she feels over her father’s criminal past. Now she must work with Gage to survive. The use of a female pirate is a nice twist on the movie-fantasized life of pirates and treasure hunters. Bible verses are nicely tied to the storyline. The analogy of God seeing us as lost coins is encouraging.” ~RT Book Reviews Magazine

And now it’s time for my other news. This week I accepted and signed a contract with Harlequin for four more Love Inspired Suspense books. I’m super excited about this new series that involves fast cars and fast-paced suspense! Stay tuned for pictures of me driving a Ferrari! All in the name of research. I LOVE my job!

Thanks for stopping by to hear my news. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of my September release, SUNKEN TREASURE at www.KatyLeeBooks.com!

Hello Readers, Katy Lee here with a heads-up on Sandra Orchard’s latest mystery, Blind Trust. And let me tell you she really stepped up the suspense with this second book in the series. Back in November I brought you my thoughts on the first book Deadly Devotion. Click here to read A Great Whodunit, Sandra Orchard Style. A great, well-developed beginning to the series that laid the foundation for the three books so well that I cracked open Blind Trust and jumped right into the excitement without a moment of delay.

Kate Adams, amateur sleuth is caught in the middle of a case again that has nothing to do with her…or does it? She’s about to find out. Blind Trust ends with a great cliffhanger leading into the third and final book. The back of the book gives the reader a taste of what’s to come, but it’s not enough, I say. Looking forward to it, Sandra!

And here’s a bit about Blind Trust:

Kate Adams had no idea she was carrying counterfeit money, and she can’t believe that it came from her sweet neighbor. Or that it lands her in the middle of another one of Detective Tom Parker’s investigations. Determined to prove her neighbor’s innocence, Kate stumbles into a pit of intrigue that is far deeper than a two-bit counterfeit operation–and strikes too close to home for comfort. As family secrets come to light, her world–and her budding romance with Tom–begin to crumble. To Kate, it’s clear that she won’t be safe until she uncovers all of Port Aster’s secrets. But is it too late for her and Tom?

Award-winning author Sandra Orchard draws readers into a world of rogues, red herrings, and romance as she unfolds the continuing story of amateur sleuth Kate Adams.

Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is used to modern-day pirates chasing after his boat and the buried treasure he salvages. But when he unknowingly leads a dangerous criminal to the waters off Stepping Stones Island, he puts a beautiful fisherwoman in grave danger. Rachelle Thibodaux has spent the past year hiding on her boat to avoid the town’s censure for her father’s crimes. But when she comes face-to-face with a gun-wielding pirate, she becomes a new kind of target. To save her own life, she’ll have to work with Gage to find the treasure before the pirates do.

I also want to thank those of you who have made the release of GRAVE DANGER this month a huge success. My forensic anthropologist story is making top seller lists and garnering great reviews!

“Grave Danger has it all; witty dialogue, tension between the characters and suspense.” ~More Than a Review

BONES OF CONTENTION

When skeletal remains are found on a small Maine island, forensic anthropologist Lydia Muir is sent to investigate. It’s Lydia’s job to determine whether the homicide happened long ago—or more recently. Island sheriff Wesley Grant seems sure the murder didn’t happen on his watch. But when Lydia uncovers the victim’s identity, someone goes to great lengths to get Lydia off the island. Wes vows to protect her, but is the handsome lawman holding something back? To help catch a killer, she’ll have to trust him—or become the next victim.

What’s not to love about art and Alaska? I knew when I picked up Sandra Orchard’s latest release, Perilous Waters, I was in for a frigid, but fun retreat from my normal day to day. Once again, Sandra delivers a creative story with a keep-you-guessing ending. I love cruises as well, but know there are a lot of “mishaps” a suspense writer can utilize on board. Sandra made good use of many of them and kept the story moving with a good flow.

As for the art theft aspect, I particularly liked how she tied it into the cruise theme. I’ll admit I’ve purchased my share of art on the cruises I’ve attended. (More than my share actually.) But never mind that, Sandra opened my eyes to the many ways art can be “moved.”

And the dangers that could cause…..

I asked Sandra Orchard to come on today and share how she came up with the idea for Perilous Waters. And now, here she is to share:

Hello Readers, the inspiration for Perilous Waters began with a newspaper article about Alain Lacoursière, a Montreal police detective who founded one of the top art-theft units in the world. The FBI estimates that the international black market in art is worth about $6-billion a year. It sounded like great fodder for a story and when my husband and I took an Alaskan Cruise to celebrate our 25th anniversary and I saw the art gallery and on-board auctions, not to mention a slew of potential deathtraps, I knew I’d found the perfect setting for the story. Find more behind-the-scenes tidbits, including location pics at: http://sandraorchard.com/extras/bonus-book-features/#perilouswaters

The above pic is an auction I attended aboard ship. I also had a behind the scenes tour of the ship, which provided more ideas for mayhem than I could possibly use in the story. J

Thank you, Sandra, for dropping by and giving us a behind-the-scenes look into your research!

Sandra Orchard is the award-winning author of several inspirational romantic suspense/mysteries, including Deadly Devotion and Blind Trust. Her Love Inspired Suspense titles have garnered two Canadian Christian Writing Awards and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award. Sandra has also received a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. In addition to her busy writing schedule, Sandra enjoys speaking at events and teaching writing workshops. She lives in Ontario, Canada. Learn more about Sandra’s books and check out the special bonus features, such as deleted scenes and location pics, at http://sandraorchard.com.

For FBI agent Sam Steele, there’s no room for error or emotions on his latest undercover assignment. Getting close to gallery owner Jennifer Robbins while on an Alaskan cruise is the only way to catch her dealing stolen art. Out on the icy seas, Jen suddenly goes from suspect to victim when she’s targeted by a deadly enemy. And Sam’s mission goes from investigating an art crime to protecting the woman who’s begun to melt his heart. As danger looms closer, he’ll do anything to save her life—even if it costs him his own.